Bangkok: address book

Identity card

Formalities: a valid passport.
Area code: +66 (Thailand); 02 (Bangkok).
Time difference: +5 hours in summer, +6 hours in winter.
Currency: Baht (THB).
1 euro = THB 38.5 (Nov. 2016).

How to get there

THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL, Thailand's national airline, operates a daily flight from Paris CDG terminal 1 to Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi airport. Services are operated on one of the airline's six Airbus A380s. Accommodating 507 passengers, 8.5% less than the standard configuration, the aircraft offers optimum in-flight comfort in all three classes, with 12 seats in First, 60 in Royal Silk Business Class and 435 in Economy. In business class, the seat reclines 180 degrees, ensuring a good night's sleep, which is essential since the flight arrives at 6am, just in time for a day of appointments. During the flight, you have to choose the Thai meal, which is truly worthy of a restaurant. On the return journey, in its Bangkok lounge, Thai Airways offers its Premium passengers a traditional massage area, as well as a wide variety of dishes to eat while waiting for take-off at midnight. In November 2016, Thai Airways launched a new route between Bangkok and Europe, to Frankfurt.

Tel.: 01 55 68 80 70
Internet : www.thaiairways.com

AIR FRANCE-KLM is offering an almost daily service to Bangkok from Paris CDG this winter, with only six connections in some weeks. These flights are operated by Boeing 777-300 triclass aircraft, with 14 seats in Business, 32 in Premium Economy and 422 in Economy.

Tel.: 3654 or +33 (0)892 70 26 54
Internet: www.airfrance.com

Hotels

The peninsula Bangkok

One of Thailand's undisputed hotel gems, the Peninsula stands on the banks of the Chao Praya River. The service is, of course, of unrivalled quality, with transfers by Rolls Royce, but also, more locally, tuk tuks in the brand's colours to explore the city. This oasis of beauty and luxury, with 370 rooms including 60 suites, is up against its two legendary rivals: the Shangri-La and the Oriental.

333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan
Phone: +66 2 020 2888
Email : pbk@peninsula.com
Internet: bangkok.peninsula.com

Sukhothai

Another Bangkok legend, the Sukhothai lives its palatial life away from the hustle and bustle of the city, behind large, refreshing gardens with gently rippling pools. Here, contemporary sophistication blends happily with Thai traditions.

13/3 South Sathorn Road
Phone: +66 2 344 8888
Email : info@sukhothai.com
Internet: www.sukhothai.com

Banyan tree Bangkok

A true urban resort, this high-rise hotel, with a sumptuous rooftop terrace that is the stuff of dreams for the whole of Bangkok, offers 325 rooms with idyllic views over the Thai capital. The highlight of this establishment - and indeed of all Banyan Tree hotels - is its sublime, innovative spa.

21/100 South Sathon Road - Sathon
Phone: +66 2679 1200
Email : bangkok@banyantree.com
Internet : www.banyantree.com

Amara Bangkok

All new and beautiful, this
250 rooms installed in
a tall glass tower with an outdoor swimming pool at the top, has been specially designed for business clients. Located in the Silom district,
it combines pure luxury with efficiency and is a self-proclaimed "First Class Business Hotel". It faces the new Pixel Tower, which can be admired from its beautiful pool terrace.

180/1 Surawong Road, Sipraya, Bangrak
Phone: +66 2 021 8888
Email : amarabangkok@amarahotels.com
Internet : bangkok.amarahotels.com

Mövenpick Sumkhumvit

This latest offspring of the Swiss brand, inaugurated last year, has taken up residence in the fashionable Sukhumvit district, where small boutiques and trendy cafés thrive. The hotel offers 297 elegant rooms with five-star service and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool.

47 Sukhumvit 15, Sukhumvit Road - Klong Toei Nuea
Phone: +66 2 119 3100
Email : hotel.sukhumvit15.reservations@moevenpick.com
Internet : www.movenpick.com

Other major business hotels

Sheraton Grande Sumkhumvit

250 Sukhumvit Road
Phone: +66 2 649 8888
Email : concierge.sgs@luxurycollection.com
Internet: www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com

Pullman Bangkok Hotel G

188 Silom Road Bangrak
Tel.: +66 2 238 1991
Email : H3616@accor.com
Internet: www.pullmanhotels.com

Le Meridien Bangkok

40/5 Surawong Road, Bangrak
Phone: +66 2 232 8888
Email : reservations.lmbkk@lemeridien.com
Internet: www.starwoodhotels.com

Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok

494 Rajdamri Road
Phone: +66 2 254 1234
Email : bangkok.grand@hyatt.com
Internet: bangkok.grand.hyatt.com

Shangri - La Bangkok

89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak
Phone: +66 2 236 7777
Internet: www.shangri-la.com/bangkok/shangrila/

W Bangkok

106 North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangrak
Phone: +66 (0) 2 344 4000
Internet: www.whotelbangkok.com

Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok

489 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana
Phone: +66 2302 3333
Email : info.bangkok.blu@radisson.com
Internet: www.radissonblu.com

Budget hotels

HOTEL INDIGO Bangkok

Opened last year near Lumpini Park, Hotel Indigo, like its counterparts around the world, offers everything the business traveller needs at very reasonable prices. With the added bonus of a vibrant aesthetic, state-of-the-art technology and beautiful views over Bangkok. Its sumptuous infinity pool on the 24th floor is the jewel in the crown of this fine establishment.

81 Wireless Rd, Lumpini, Pathumwan
Phone: + 66 2 207 4999
Email : reservation.hotelindigobangkok@ihg.com
Internet: www.ihg.com

Modena by Fraser Bangkok

Opened this summer, this delightful little hotel specially designed for long stays is full of colour and freshness. For those on a tighter budget, it's an ideal alternative to the big luxury chains. It is located in the heart of the business district, close to the new FYI Center.

2527 Rama IV Road, FYI Center - Khlong Toei District
Phone: +66 2 033 0888
Email : reservations.bangkok@modenabyfraser.com
Internet: bangkok.modenabyfraser.com

Restaurants

Sala Rim Naam

A Cornelian dilemma arises as soon as you cross the Chao Praya by boat to get to this exceptional Thai cuisine restaurant: should you dine in the warmth of the evening on the terrace facing the river, or inside a pretty pagoda to learn traditional dances? The same hesitation applies to the plethora of dishes on the menu. Everything looks - everything is - truly succulent: pomelo salad and giant prawns, curry in all its variations, fish with the exquisite flavours of lemongrass, coconut and lime leaves... Cocktails based on local spices accompany these marvellous dishes, sometimes powerfully spiced. The Mandarin Oriental restaurant offers Thai cookery courses, both for professionals wishing to specialise and for amateurs and guests wishing to take a little of Thailand home with them, in the form of unique know-how.

48 Oriental Avenue.
Phone: +66 2 659 9000 ext 7330
Email : mobkk-sala@mohg.com
Internet : www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/

Nahm

Sitting down in front of the Nahm swimming pool is a real treat. The stress of the city immediately dissipates and you are ready to savour Thai cuisine that is both contemporary and traditional. Lobster salad with ginger and lemongrass, Thai basil cocktail, coconut crab and scallops with red curry are just some of the highlights of the evening.

Como Hotel. 27 South Sathorn Road.
Phone: +66 2 625 3333
Email : res.met.bkk@comohotels.com
Internet : www.comohotels.com/metropolitanbangkok/

Jojo

If, during a long stay in Asia, your taste buds crave a few more familiar European flavours, a visit to the St Regis hotel's Italian restaurant is a must. On the menu: quail ravioli, aubergine risotto, vitello tonnato, robust wines and a sudden urge to revisit the Amalfi coast.

59 Rajadamri Road.
Phone: +66 2 207 7777
Internet: www.stregisbangkok.com

Cabbages and Condoms

It's a strange restaurant, absolutely delicious, but with a surprising concept that has been going strong for over fifteen years. In the early 2000s, under the influence of the Minister of Health - who owns the place - Cabbages and Condoms set itself the mission of promoting both Thai gastronomy and the use of condoms. Here, tasting succulent spicy prawns, cashew chicken and beef curries is like doing a good deed! It's a pleasure in more ways than one, and people are quick to invite their broad-minded counterparts. With the bill, a condom is offered to each guest. You leave with a smile on your face.

Sukhumvit 12 Alley, Khlong Toe.
Phone: +66 2 229 4610
Internet: www.pda.or.th/restaurant/

Vivarium

Two stars of the Thai version of "Master Chef", Chumpol Jangprai and Boontham Parkpho, designed this restaurant full of plants growing upside down from the ceiling. The place, housed in a former tractor garage, is well worth a visit in itself. So is the menu of Japanese-Thai specialities, which is full of surprises, such as pizza with kaeng som, a local fish curry... Great for a meal!
business.

3675 Rama IV, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei.
Phone: +66 96 878 3027

Information

French Embassy (chancellery and consulate)

35 Charoenkrung 36 - Bangrak.
Phone: +66 2 657 5100
Email : ambassade@ambafrance-th.org
Internet: www.ambafrance-th.org

business france

35 Charoenkrung 36 - Bangrak.
Phone: +66 2 627 2180
Email : bangkok@businessfrance.fr
Internet: www.businessfrance.fr

Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce

5th floor, Kian Gwan House III, 152 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan. Tel: +66 2 650 9613-4
Email : contact@francothaicc.com
Internet : www.francothaicc.com

International chamber of commerce thailand

3/F Board of Trade of Thailand Building, 150/2 Rajbopit Road, Pranakorn
Phone: +66 2 622 21 83
Email : admin@iccthailand.or.th
Internet : www.iccwbo.org

The Thai chamber of commerce

150 Rajbopit Road, Pranakorn.
Phone: +66 2 018 6888
Email : tcc@thaichamber.org
Internet : www.thaichamber.org

Guides

BANGKOK CARTOVILLE, Gallimard (2016) A very practical way of discovering the Thai capital district by district.

THAILAND Bangkok and the South, Geoguide Gallimard (2015) This is the first edition of this comprehensive guide.

BANGKOK, The MONOCLE Travel Guide Series (2015) A hip, up-to-date guide to food, design and shopping. In English only.